Orioles comfortable with Everth Cabrera at short

With expected starting shortstop J.J. Hardy missing the start of the season with a strained muscle in his shoulder, Duquette was asked if the team was in the market to acquire a shortstop.

"We signed one just before camp opened," Duquette said, per MASN Sports. Cabrera signed with the team as a free agent in late February.

Cabrera has hit .238 this spring.

Everth Cabrera on playing CF on Monday: 'That surprises me'

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(3/16/15)Everth Cabrera is leading off and playing center field for the Orioles in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. When asked about playing center, Cabrera told reporters: "That surprises me."

Cabrera has not played a game at center field in the majors, and has not played there since a Triple-A stint in 2012. He also added that he hasn't shagged fly balls this spring.

"I don't care," Cabrera said, per MASN Sports. "I've been playing a little bit of of center field before, so it doesn't matter to me. I need the opportunity to play somewhere and I can help my team to win games. That's it."

Manager Buck Showalter indicated Monday that he wants Cabrera to see action at every position aside from pitcher and catcher to determine the extent of his versatility, masnsports.com reports.

Orioles' Everth Cabrera getting shot at second base

by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(3/12/15) Orioles infielder Everth Cabrera, who was an All-Star shortstop while with the Padres, is getting an extended look at second base this spring to gauge his ability as a utility man, per The Baltimore Sun.

Cabrera hasn't played 2B regularly since 2008, when he was in Class A, and is still adjusting to the different footwork and rhythms of the position.

"That's what spring training is for, just practice, and practice and practice," Cabrera said. "Get better from here."

“It was a prerequisite,” manager Buck Showalter said of Cabrera resolving his legal problems before signing with the Orioles, per MLB.com. “That’s why it took as long as it did [after word leaked of an agreement]. It wasn’t going to happen until it did and we felt comfortable with it.”

Cabrera was expected to go to trial in April for resisting arrest after he was arrested by the California Highway Patrol on Sept. 3 on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana. He was later charged with resisting arrest.

He was cited for possession of marijuana in a car, which is a vehicle code infraction that carries a fine of up to $100. No DUI charges were filed, per U-T San Diego.

"That kind of player would have to make the club if he had an option, first of all," Showalter said. "It’s another attractive thing about a player like that. If they have an option, it makes them more attractive."

With J.J. Hardy likely to start at shortstop, Cabrera could cut into Jonathan Schoop's playing time if he breaks camp with the big-league club. Cabrera spent the last six seasons as a member of the Padres and hit .232 with 13 doubles and 20 RBI in 2014 in 357 plate appearances.

03/30/2015 18:16Orioles and Rays play to 6-6, 10-inning tie
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) Evan Longoria hit his third homer of the spring and drove two runs as the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles played to a 6-6 tie in 10 innings Monday.

2014 summary: While some of the players receiving suspensions as a result of their involvement in the Biogenesis scandal fared well upon their return, Everth Cabrera was not one of them. He batted just .232 with 18 stolen bases in 90 games and missed all but 10 of the Padres' final 79 games due to a strained hamstring. Cabrera encountered trouble off the field in September when he was arrested for driving under the influence and was subsequently charged with resisting arrest. The Padres non-tendered Cabrera in December, making him a free agent.

Playing time status: Cabrera could serve up to a year in jail if convicted on his charges, so even if he signs with a team this offseason, his 2015 season is in question.

2015 outlook: Should Cabrera return to the playing field, he could still loom as a source of stolen bases. As such, he could be worth a gamble in the late rounds of deeper mixed league drafts.
(Updated 12/14/14)